scholarly journals Ligase I and ligase III mediate the DNA double-strand break ligation in alternative end-joining

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (5) ◽  
pp. 1256-1260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangqing Lu ◽  
Jinzhi Duan ◽  
Sheng Shu ◽  
Xuxiang Wang ◽  
Linlin Gao ◽  
...  

In eukaryotes, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), one of the most harmful types of DNA damage, are repaired by homologous repair (HR) and nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ). Surprisingly, in cells deficient for core classic NHEJ factors such as DNA ligase IV (Lig4), substantial end-joining activities have been observed in various situations, suggesting the existence of alternative end-joining (A-EJ) activities. Several putative A-EJ factors have been proposed, although results are mostly controversial. By using a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system, we generated mouse CH12F3 cell lines in which, in addition to Lig4, either Lig1 or nuclear Lig3, representing the cells containing a single DNA ligase (Lig3 or Lig1, respectively) in their nucleus, was completely ablated. Surprisingly, we found that both Lig1- and Lig3-containing complexes could efficiently catalyze A-EJ for class switching recombination (CSR) in the IgH locus and chromosomal deletions between DSBs generated by CRISPR/Cas9 in cis-chromosomes. However, only deletion of nuclear Lig3, but not Lig1, could significantly reduce the interchromosomal translocations in Lig4−/− cells, suggesting the unique role of Lig3 in catalyzing chromosome translocation. Additional sequence analysis of chromosome translocation junction microhomology revealed the specificity of different ligase-containing complexes. The data suggested the existence of multiple DNA ligase-containing complexes in A-EJ.

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea M. Kaminski ◽  
John M. Pryor ◽  
Dale A. Ramsden ◽  
Thomas A. Kunkel ◽  
Lars C. Pedersen ◽  
...  

Abstract Genomic integrity is threatened by cytotoxic DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), which must be resolved efficiently to prevent sequence loss, chromosomal rearrangements/translocations, or cell death. Polymerase μ (Polμ) participates in DSB repair via the nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway, by filling small sequence gaps in broken ends to create substrates ultimately ligatable by DNA Ligase IV. Here we present structures of human Polμ engaging a DSB substrate. Synapsis is mediated solely by Polμ, facilitated by single-nucleotide homology at the break site, wherein both ends of the discontinuous template strand are stabilized by a hydrogen bonding network. The active site in the quaternary Pol μ complex is poised for catalysis and nucleotide incoporation proceeds in crystallo. These structures demonstrate that Polμ may address complementary DSB substrates during NHEJ in a manner indistinguishable from single-strand breaks.


2010 ◽  
Vol 207 (2) ◽  
pp. 417-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristian Boboila ◽  
Catherine Yan ◽  
Duane R. Wesemann ◽  
Mila Jankovic ◽  
Jing H. Wang ◽  
...  

The classical nonhomologous end-joining (C-NHEJ) DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway employs the Ku70/80 complex (Ku) for DSB recognition and the XRCC4/DNA ligase 4 (Lig4) complex for ligation. During IgH class switch recombination (CSR) in B lymphocytes, switch (S) region DSBs are joined by C-NHEJ to form junctions either with short microhomologies (MHs; “MH-mediated” joins) or no homologies (“direct” joins). In the absence of XRCC4 or Lig4, substantial CSR occurs via “alternative” end-joining (A-EJ) that generates largely MH-mediated joins. Because upstream C-NHEJ components remain in XRCC4- or Lig4-deficient B cells, residual CSR might be catalyzed by C-NHEJ using a different ligase. To address this, we have assayed for CSR in B cells deficient for Ku70, Ku80, or both Ku70 and Lig4. Ku70- or Ku80-deficient B cells have reduced, but still substantial, CSR. Strikingly, B cells deficient for both Ku plus Lig4 undergo CSR similarly to Ku-deficient B cells, firmly demonstrating that an A-EJ pathway distinct from C-NHEJ can catalyze CSR end-joining. Ku-deficient or Ku- plus Lig4-deficient B cells are also biased toward MH-mediated CSR joins; but, in contrast to XRCC4- or Lig4-deficient B cells, generate substantial numbers of direct CSR joins. Our findings suggest that more than one form of A-EJ can function in CSR.


2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandi L. Mahaney ◽  
Michal Hammel ◽  
Katheryn Meek ◽  
John A. Tainer ◽  
Susan P. Lees-Miller

DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), induced by ionizing radiation (IR) and endogenous stress including replication failure, are the most cytotoxic form of DNA damage. In human cells, most IR-induced DSBs are repaired by the nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway. One of the most critical steps in NHEJ is ligation of DNA ends by DNA ligase IV (LIG4), which interacts with, and is stabilized by, the scaffolding protein X-ray cross-complementing gene 4 (XRCC4). XRCC4 also interacts with XRCC4-like factor (XLF, also called Cernunnos); yet, XLF has been one of the least mechanistically understood proteins and precisely how XLF functions in NHEJ has been enigmatic. Here, we examine current combined structural and mutational findings that uncover integrated functions of XRCC4 and XLF and reveal their interactions to form long, helical protein filaments suitable to protect and align DSB ends. XLF–XRCC4 provides a global structural scaffold for ligating DSBs without requiring long DNA ends, thus ensuring accurate and efficient ligation and repair. The assembly of these XRCC4–XLF filaments, providing both DNA end protection and alignment, may commit cells to NHEJ with general biological implications for NHEJ and DSB repair processes and their links to cancer predispositions and interventions.


2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (5) ◽  
pp. 1261-1266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahnaz Masani ◽  
Li Han ◽  
Katheryn Meek ◽  
Kefei Yu

Nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) is the major DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway in mammals and resolves the DSBs generated during both V(D)J recombination in developing lymphocytes and class switch recombination (CSR) in antigen-stimulated B cells. In contrast to the absolute requirement for NHEJ to resolve DSBs associated with V(D)J recombination, DSBs associated with CSR can be resolved in NHEJ-deficient cells (albeit at a reduced level) by a poorly defined alternative end-joining (A-EJ) pathway. Deletion of DNA ligase IV (Lig4), a core component of the NHEJ pathway, reduces CSR efficiency in a mouse B-cell line capable of robust cytokine-stimulated CSR in cell culture. Here, we report that CSR levels are not further reduced by deletion of either of the two remaining DNA ligases (Lig1 and nuclear Lig3) in Lig4−/− cells. We conclude that in the absence of Lig4, Lig1, and Lig3 function in a redundant manner in resolving switch region DSBs during CSR.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takaaki Yasuhara ◽  
Reona Kato ◽  
Motohiro Yamauchi ◽  
Yuki Uchihara ◽  
Lee Zou ◽  
...  

AbstractR-loops, consisting of ssDNA and DNA-RNA hybrids, are potentially vulnerable unless they are appropriately processed. Recent evidence suggests that R-loops can form in the proximity of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) within transcriptionally active regions. Yet, how the vulnerability of R-loops is overcome during DSB repair remains unclear. Here, we identify RAP80 as a factor suppressing the vulnerability of ssDNA in R-loops and chromosome translocations and deletions during DSB repair. Mechanistically, RAP80 prevents unscheduled nucleolytic processing of ssDNA in R-loops by CtIP. This mechanism promotes efficient DSB repair via transcription-associated end-joining dependent on BRCA1, Polθ, and LIG1/3. Thus, RAP80 suppresses the vulnerability of R-loops during DSB repair, thereby precluding genomic abnormalities in a critical component of the genome caused by deleterious R-loop processing.


Author(s):  
Roopa Thapar

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are deleterious lesions that are generated in response to ionizing radiation or replication fork collapse that can lead to genomic instability and cancer.  Eukaryotes have evolved two major pathways, namely homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) to repair DSBs.  Whereas the roles of protein-DNA interactions in HR and NHEJ have been fairly well defined, the functions of small and long non-coding RNAs and RNA-DNA hybrids in the DNA damage response is just beginning to be elucidated.  This review summarizes recent discoveries on the identification of non-coding RNAs and RNA-mediated regulation of DSB repair


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naihan Xu ◽  
Yuanzhi Lao ◽  
Yaou Zhang ◽  
David A. Gillespie

The Akt family of serine/threonine protein kinases are key regulators of multiple aspects of cell behaviour, including proliferation, survival, metabolism, and tumorigenesis. Growth-factor-activated Akt signalling promotes progression through normal, unperturbed cell cycles by acting on diverse downstream factors involved in controlling the G1/S and G2/M transitions. Remarkably, several recent studies have also implicated Akt in modulating DNA damage responses and genome stability. High Akt activity can suppress ATR/Chk1 signalling and homologous recombination repair (HRR) via direct phosphorylation of Chk1 or TopBP1 or, indirectly, by inhibiting recruitment of double-strand break (DSB) resection factors, such as RPA, Brca1, and Rad51, to sites of damage. Loss of checkpoint and/or HRR proficiency is therefore a potential cause of genomic instability in tumor cells with high Akt. Conversely, Akt is activated by DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in a DNA-PK- or ATM/ATR-dependent manner and in some circumstances can contribute to radioresistance by stimulating DNA repair by nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). Akt therefore modifies both the response to and repair of genotoxic damage in complex ways that are likely to have important consequences for the therapy of tumors with deregulation of the PI3K-Akt-PTEN pathway.


2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (40) ◽  
pp. 10076-10081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob V. Layer ◽  
J. Patrick Cleary ◽  
Alexander J. Brown ◽  
Kristen E. Stevenson ◽  
Sara N. Morrow ◽  
...  

Chromosomal rearrangements, including translocations, are early and essential events in the formation of many tumors. Previous studies that defined the genetic requirements for rearrangement formation have identified differences between murine and human cells, most notably in the role of classic and alternative nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) factors. We reported that poly(ADP)ribose polymerase 3 (PARP3) promotes chromosomal rearrangements induced by endonucleases in multiple human cell types. We show here that in contrast to classic (c-NHEJ) factors, Parp3 also promotes rearrangements in murine cells, including translocations in murine embryonic stem cells (mESCs), class–switch recombination in primary B cells, and inversions in tail fibroblasts that generateEml4–Alkfusions. In mESCs, Parp3-deficient cells had shorter deletion lengths at translocation junctions. This was corroborated using next-generation sequencing ofEml4–Alkjunctions in tail fibroblasts and is consistent with a role for Parp3 in promoting the processing of DNA double-strand breaks. We confirmed a previous report that Parp1 also promotes rearrangement formation. In contrast with Parp3, rearrangement junctions in the absence of Parp1 had longer deletion lengths, suggesting that Parp1 may suppress double-strand break processing. Together, these data indicate that Parp3 and Parp1 promote rearrangements with distinct phenotypes.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terrence Hanscom ◽  
Mitch McVey

Double-strand breaks are one of the most deleterious DNA lesions. Their repair via error-prone mechanisms can promote mutagenesis, loss of genetic information, and deregulation of the genome. These detrimental outcomes are significant drivers of human diseases, including many cancers. Mutagenic double-strand break repair also facilitates heritable genetic changes that drive organismal adaptation and evolution. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of various error-prone DNA double-strand break repair processes and the cellular conditions that regulate them, with a focus on alternative end joining. We provide examples that illustrate how mutagenic double-strand break repair drives genome diversity and evolution. Finally, we discuss how error-prone break repair can be crucial to the induction and progression of diseases such as cancer.


2010 ◽  
Vol 107 (5) ◽  
pp. 2141-2146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romain Chayot ◽  
Benjamin Montagne ◽  
Didier Mazel ◽  
Miria Ricchetti

Bridging broken DNA ends via nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) contributes to the evolution and stability of eukaryote genomes. Although some bacteria possess a simplified NHEJ mechanism, the human commensal Escherichia coli is thought to rely exclusively on homology-directed mechanisms to repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). We show here that laboratory and pathogenic E. coli strains possess a distinct end-joining activity that repairs DSBs and generates genome rearrangements. This mechanism, named alternative end-joining (A-EJ), does not rely on the key NHEJ proteins Ku and Ligase-D which are absent in E. coli. Differently from classical NHEJ, A-EJ is characterized by extensive end-resection largely due to RecBCD, by overwhelming usage of microhomology and extremely rare DNA synthesis. We also show that A-EJ is dependent on the essential Ligase-A and independent on Ligase-B. Importantly, mutagenic repair requires a functional Ligase-A. Although generally mutagenic, accurate A-EJ also occurs and is frequent in some pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, we show the acquisition of an antibiotic-resistance gene via A-EJ, refuting the notion that bacteria gain exogenous sequences only by recombination-dependent mechanisms. This finding demonstrates that E. coli can integrate unrelated, nonhomologous exogenous sequences by end-joining and it provides an alternative strategy for horizontal gene transfer in the bacterial genome. Thus, A-EJ contributes to bacterial genome evolution and adaptation to environmental challenges. Interestingly, the key features of A-EJ also appear in A-NHEJ, an alternative end-joining mechanism implicated in chromosomal translocations associated with human malignancies, and we propose that this mutagenic repair might have originated in bacteria.


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